LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Course Reflection
Submitted to Dr. Waller,
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 500-B05
Discipleship Ministries
By
Joseph Whitt
July 13, 2018
Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Biblical Community ........................................................................................................................1
Cultural Intelligence.........................................................................................................................2
Leading in a Multicultural Environment..........................................................................................3
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................4
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Introduction
Jesus tells us in Matthew that “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the
Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I
am with you always, to the very end of the age.”1 These words were directly out of Jesus’s mouth
and it is with this words that the Great Commission was given to His disciples before His
ascension. This Class has given me the opportunity to see first-hand how we as the hands and
feet of Christ are supposed to be as representatives of Christ. I know just how important the
Biblical Community, Cultural Intelligence and a Multicultural Environment is for the success of
the Great Commission. This paper will go over my initial understanding of what Biblical
Community, Cultural Intelligence and Multicultural Environment. I will be also going over how
my thoughts have changed on these subjects or if they have changed any at all since going
through this class the past eight weeks.
Biblical Community
My Initial Thoughts and understanding of what a Biblical Community was is that it just
consisted of the people who went to church. After going through this class I now have a better
understanding of what the Biblical Community actually is. In Galatians 6:2 it tells us that we are
to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”.2 This verse along tells me that
we as believers are called to also bear the burdens of non-believers and by reaching out to them
and showing them love and grace in the same manner that Christ has done for us, we will be
fulfilling the Great Commission and hopefully leading them to a relationship with Christ. My
understanding now of Biblical Community is a lot like discipleship. The Apostle Paul tells us in
1 Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
2 Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
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Acts 2:46 that the early church did not only meet within the temple but they also broke bread
together in their homes. Paul also shows us in Acts 16 that some people considered their homes
to be small churches as they often broke bread there together and meditated upon the Gospel
with one another. By holding gatherings like this within your community you are also able to
reach out to others who may not ever step foot within the Church. This is this perfect example of
how we should be growing the Biblical Community. By doing this and allowing the Holy Spirit
to work within non-believers life’s as they see how you live and act, it could ultimately be the
exact thing they need for encouragement and a door for them to start accepting Christ. As they
accept Christ the Biblical Community grows and continues to grow as they share the gospel.
Cultural Intelligence
For the Longest time I always assumed that Cultural Intelligence was simply just
knowing about other Cultures. I served in the Army for over 13 years and we were force feed
basic information regarding other cultures and how they acted and lived. Because of this, this is
why my perception of Cultural Intelligence was way skewed. This Class has opened my eyes and
given me a better understanding of what Cultural Intelligence actually is. I honestly believe that
while the Army gave me a decent understanding of what Cultural intelligence is, I feel as though
it goes deeper than just knowing about a certain culture. I believe that we as Christians should
become more cultural diverse within our understanding of other cultures. By being involved with
others will also help to reduce the amount of stereotypes that takes place within the Church. I
believe that as we become more cultural intelligent this will open up opportunities for us as
Christians to reach areas even in our current community that we have not been able to get into.
By knowing and having an understanding of one’s culture it allows you to better understand
them and their life style without holding a judgmental view over them. Having the Church
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become more cultural intelligent will also help the church and ministries within the church to
effectively bear witness of the gospel and encourage others to come along side you in sharing the
gospel of Christ.
Leading in a Multicultural Environment
Leading in a Multicultural Environment is something that the Army taught me well. As a
leader I had to know and understand each and every one of my Soldiers. My view on leading in
an Multicultural Environment has not changed. I believe that the Church and leaders within the
Church should be able to adapt to the changes that are taking place within our communities. In
my opinion the Multicultural Church is the perfect picture that reflects that Kingdom of God. By
being the leader in a Multicultural Church you are displaying a sign that you are not afraid to
reach out and teach all of God’s children. You are setting the example that other Churches should
ultimately in my opinion follow as well. It states in Revelation 7:9-11 “A great multitude which
no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the Lamb,
clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice,
saying, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! All the angels
stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before
the throne and worshiped God”.3 As a Multicultural Church and a leader within this environment
we need to know and understand that we are all God’s people and we as believers will all one
day be welcomed into the Kingdom. My question for us as multicultural leaders within the
Church is why not start now? What is holding you back?
Conclusion
3 Revelation 7:9-11 (ESV)
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This course has been one that has opened my eyes to a lot of things that I have either been doing
wrong or was just following what I had been taught within the system. I now have a better
understanding that the Biblical Community is supposed to reach out to others within the
Community and not just within the Church. Being a follower of Christ sometimes you have to
make that hard choice to reach out to the non-believers and share the Gospel with them. My
understanding of Cultural Intelligence has also grown a lot I now have an understanding that this
is not something to be taken lightly but something that should be approached with respect and
humility. And Lastly Leading in a Multicultural Environment, Honestly what is holding us back
the entire world is filled with people of many different cultures, why are we constantly focusing
on our view of what we think the Church should look like? It is time to give over our pride and
reach out and be involved.
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